The Italy icon claims Diego Maradona had the biggest influence on him as a player but believes the current Real Madrid star's Brazilian namesake is the game's greatest
Fabio Cannavaro feels Lionel Messi is currently the best player on the planet just ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Both the Barcelona ace and Real Madrid star have started the season in superb form with each player netting a hat-trick in the Champions League in midweek and former Madrid defender Cannavaro feels the Argentine has the edge on the Portugal captain - though he considers the 28-year-old's Brazilian namesake to be the game's greatest ever.
"In my career Diego Maradona had the biggest influence on me" the 40-year-old told 21CN.
"But I think there is another player who might be even greater. That’s the Brazilian Ronaldo.
"However both Messi and Ronaldo are great players in terms of scoring. At this very moment Messi is a little bit better.
"I like Thiago Silva very much too" he added when asked about defenders.